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Day 1: Arrival Peru

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Libertador, Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel

An English-speaking representative will be expecting you from your international arrival will greet you and give you your customized welcome pack with a booklet of your trip itinerary and other useful information before whisking you off to your hotel, assisting you with all check-in procedures.

Day 2: Lima

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Libertador, Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel

City tour Lima

One of the main fascinations of Lima is the concentration of ancient history in the area; not only do the origins of the city pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia, its museums are full of the artistic treasures of magnificent pre-Columbian civilizations that flourished throughout the coastal deserts of Peru. Begin to unravel this multifaceted history and discover the complex past of this fascinating city accompanied our specialist guide. Visit an ancient adobe pyramid right in the middle of the city, Huaca Huallamarca, which dates back to around 200 BC. Journey to the Larco Herrera Museum, where thousands of years of complex ancient history will be turned into an easy-to-understand story, for kids and adults alike. Continue on to the colonial area of Lima, featuring the Cathedral, the Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Main Square with its beautiful baroque style buildings. You will also have a chance to visit Casa Aliaga, reportedly the oldest home on the Continent and still family-owned after 17 generations. The sites visited today can be tailored to alternatively include: La Casona de San Marcos; the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs; Huaca Pucllana; and the Museo de la Inquisition. It is also possible to organize cocktails at Casa Aliaga (supplement price applies).

Day 3: Lima  - Cusco – Urubamba Valley

Meals: Breakfast*

Overnight: Luxury Collection Tambo del Inka, Inkaterra Hacienda Hotel

Flight to Cusco, Awanacancha, Pisac Market & Ruins

Our Inka Rainbow representative will pick you up from your hotel for your private transfer to Lima airport, where he will assist you with check-in procedures for your domestic flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, your personal guide and private driver will greet you at the airport to head straight to the Urubamba Valley - also known as the 'Sacred Valley'. Your guide will accompany you throughout the Urubamba Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu.

En route, stop for a short visit of Awanacancha where you will have the opportunity to see the different camelids that live in the Andes such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. In Pisac experience the sights and sounds of the town’s famous market, with its variety of handcrafts and fresh produce. Continue on to the Pisac ruins. With Inca masonry of superlative quality, the stunning terracing following the contours of the mountain and superior view of the valley will leave you in awe. After lunch (own cost), check-in to your chosen hotel.

Day 4: Sacred Valley

Meals: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch

Accommodation: Luxury Collection Tambo del Inka, Inkaterra Hacienda Hotel

Today, you will visit Maras, the site of the remarkable and unusual Salinas, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley and not far from Urubamba. This site consists of a huge number of watered terraces that collect salt by evaporation from the saline waters that gush from an underground stream. Built in a similar way to agricultural terraces seen throughout the Andes, the Salinas have been in use since pre-Columbian times. Visually, the shining, salt-encrusted terraces are extraordinary. Nearby Maras lie the most enigmatic Inca terraces at the site of Moray. This unique site, probably used for agricultural experimentation, consists of several enormous terraced circular depressions. Following your visit, enjoy lunch (at own cost) before transferring back to your hotel.

For lunch, enjoy an elaborate picnic, for an unforgettable, first-class dining experience in the heart of the Andean outdoors. Following lunch, you will be escorted to your hotel.

Day 5: Urubamba Valley – Machu Picchu

Meals: Breakfast*

Accommodation: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

Machu Picchu visit, arriving by the Hiram Bingham Train

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel this morning to transfer to the train station to board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train - a must for those seeking the higher level of luxury - to Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a gourmet brunch during the spectacular journey descending into the Sacred Valley and passing through lush landscapes and Andean villages. On arrival in Aguas Calientes you will have the afternoon at leisure you can visit Machu Picchu by your own or you can spend the day exploring your beautiful hotel

Day 6: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Meals: Breakfast*

Accommodation: Casona Inkaterra, Belmond Monasterio hotel

Second Day at Machu Picchu, Vistadome train

This morning you will visit Machu Picchu with your guide. “Magnificence” is the only word to describe the scene, as you gaze upon the Inka city of Machu Picchu. The main destination on many travellers’ lists, the ‘lost city of the Incas’

Optionally climb to Huayna Picchu or climb to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain, located south of the Citadel and offering spectacular panoramic views. Following your visit, take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes to catch the Vistadome train (approx. 1.5hrs) back to Ollantaytambo, where a private vehicle will be waiting to transfer you by road to Cusco (approx. 2hrs) to check in to your hotel.

Day 7: Cusco

Meals: Breakfast*

Accommodation: Casona Inkaterra, Belmond Monasterio hotel

Since its narrow alleyways were originally designed by the Incas as a city for walking, start your exploration of Cusco on foot. Begin at the Plaza de Armas, the Main Square, which is marked by the exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture and ornamentation imposed by Spanish colonists to exert religious and political influence. Underneath it all, however, you can clearly see remnants of Inca Cusco in the solid stonework. Visit Koricancha, the most sumptuous “Sun Temple” in the Inca Empire, and the breathtaking Cathedral, a repository for Cusco’s colonial art, as well as many other important archaeological relics and artifacts. You will also stop by the colorful San Pedro market and pass through the charming neighborhood of San Blas. Next, visit Sacsayhuaman, an Inca citadel atop a hill, on the outskirts of the city. Not only are the imposing terraces of masterful stonework a sight to behold, but the vistas overlooking the sienna rooftops of Cusco provide a whole new perspective to the city you traversed. Afterwards, return to your hotel.

Day 8: Cusco – Puno

Meals: Breakfast*

Accommodation: Libertador Lake Titicaca Hotel, Casa Andina Private Collection

Flight to Juliaca, Transfer to Puno

An Inka Rainbow representative will meet you at your hotel to transfer you to Cusco airport for your domestic flight to Juliaca. Upon arrival at the Juliaca airport, you will be welcomed by an Inka Rainbow representative and transferred approximately 1 hour to you hotel.

Lake Titicaca, at nearly 4000 feet above sea level between the Peruvian and Bolivian highlands, is the highest navigable lake in the world. This gentle lake is home to a myriad of communities, each with their own specific customs and traditions and with folklore often considered to be the richest in Peru. With rugged landscapes, gentle lapping water, and the crisp air of the highlands, a visit to Lake Titicaca is both a serene and educational experience, providing a unique look into the cultural variety and native wildlife that exists here.

Day 9: Titicaca Lake

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Early in the morning, we will have an unforgettable motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique "Floating Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own "islands" by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed called "totora" (Scirpus Totora), vegetable fiber of the Papyrus family. Their homes and boats are also made from th is material. We continue our motorboat trip to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who have developed efficient and unique social systems down through the generations, as well as fine hand weaving techniques.

Upon arrival at the Town of Taquile we will have a lunch. Then we will walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long Island. In the afternoon, return to Puno. Lodging.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Libertador Lake Titicaca Hotel, Casa Andina Private Collection

Day 10: Puno - Colca Valley

Meals:  Breakfast*

Accommodation: Aranwa Colca, Colca Lodge

Transfer by road to Colca Canyon

The Colca Valley and Canyon (3,650m/11,975ft) constitute one of Peru's most dramatic and spectacular natural landscapes.

You will depart from your hotel by Lake Titicaca by private car setting out for the Colca Valley, a journey of approximately six hours. Along the way, pass the towns of Juliaca, Santa Lucía, and Imata. Drive along the coast of Lake Lagunilla, hoping to catch a glimpse of its variety of wild birds and flora. Continue your journey through picturesque Andean farms, dotted with sheep, llama, and traditionally dressed workers. Stop to take a photo of the natural landscape with the surrounding Peruvian Andes acting as the perfect backdrop. Upon arrival at the Colca Valley you will be transferred to Colca Lodge to check in.

Day 11: Colca Valley & Canyon

Meals:  Breakfast

Accommodation: Casa Andina Private Collection Arequipa, Libertador Arequipa Hotel

Depths of the Canyon

In the morning, you and your guide will journey firstly to the recently renovated colonial church of Lari before driving further down the valley toward the famous Condor Cross to view the majestic condor in flight. The Andean condor has an average wingspan of 3m (10ft) and is one of the largest land flying birds in the world. Although it cannot be 100% guaranteed that they will show up, you will have a very high chance of observing the condor from this vantage point.

In the afternoon, we will start the journey through wonderful scenery and traditional towns, leading you to a lookout point from where you can see snow-capped mountains. You will continue through a forest filled with interesting rock formations and the Pampa of Cañahuas. The mountains surrounding the area provide the quintessential scene of the Peruvian Andes, dotted with farms, sheep and llamas along the way. Following this, you will make the return journey to Arequipa, a journey of approximately four hours.

Following your excursion, you will be transferred back to your hotel for dinner (at own cost) and to enjoy your evening at leisure.

Day 12: Arequipa

Meals:  Breakfast*

Accommodation: Casa Andina Private Collection Arequipa, Libertador Arequipa Hotel

The White City

Peru’s second largest city is commonly referred to as “The White City” as it is constructed from sillar,

Begin your morning on the outskirts of Arequipa, where you will visit the Ruta del Sillar. Dating back to Colonial days, the sillar rock was used to build casonas, churches, public buildings and more. Back in the center, visit impressive main square, the Plaza de Armas then head to the Jesuit church of La Compañía, a unique example of American baroque architecture. Next, take in the Santa Teresa convent, a former religious Center that has been converted into a Colonial Art Museum. After lunch (own cost) – we recommend you try local specialties such as rocoto relleno - visit the Santa Catalina monastery, the pride of Arequipa. This expansive 29,426 square meter convent was founded in 1580 and is a masterpiece of Colonial architectural design. Afterwards, you will be taken to the Santuarios Andinos Museum, where the body of Juanita, a frozen mummy, is on display. Uncovered atop Ampato Mountain in 1995, Juanita was a teenage girl sacrificed to the Inca gods in the 1400s and is eerily well-preserved.

Day 13: Arequipa - Lima

Departure from Arequipa.

An Inka Rainbow representative will meet you at your hotel for your transfer to Arequipa airport for your domestic flight to Lima.

Day 1 Lima

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Peru. Your adventure begins in Lima, Peru’s lively capital city. When you arrive, you'll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel. Here, you'll meet your small group of fellow travellers and your local leader for a 6 pm welcome meeting. If you arrive in Lima early, the city is full of bars converted from old colonial mansions, so you may like to head out for your first pisco sour. After your meeting, join your leader and small group for a welcome dinner. Lima has one of the world’s most revered culinary scenes, and this evening you’ll head to one of the city’s best restaurants, with stunning views surrounded by ancient ruins. The creative chef offers up traditional Peruvian dishes with modern twists in a one-of-a-kind environment.

Day 2 Arequipa

Start the day with a walking tour with your leader through downtown Lima. Admire the colonial buildings of Plaza Mayor and visit the eerie catacombs of the Saint Francis Monastery, then head away from the tourist trail to Alameda de Chabuca Granda – an area popular with the locals. Later, catch a flight to Arequipa, a beautiful Spanish colonial city. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader. Known as La Ciudad Blanca (The White City), Arequipa’s buildings have been built almost exclusively from a white volcanic material called sillar, giving the city an appearance like no other. Situated in a valley at the foot of the El Misti volcano, the city also boasts a truly remarkable backdrop.

Day 3 Arequipa

This morning, meet a local guide who’s an expert on all things Arequipa and set out on a tour of the city. Explore Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, then continue to the Santa Catalina Monastery while your guide shares stories of the city’s history along the way. Stop by the San Ignacio Chapel to appreciate its colonial mural paintings. Visit the beautiful Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa with another local expert guide who will discuss the many layers of the building’s history – from its construction in 1656 to its subsequent destructions and rebuilds. The afternoon is free your own discoveries. Why not pick up an Alpaca jumper and meet the llamas and alpacas of Mundo Alpaca or take part in an active adventure in the surrounding hills and rivers. Or maybe visit the museum that houses 'Mummy Juanita' – the well-preserved body of a young Inca girl who died sometime between 1450 and 1480.

Day 4 Colca Canyon

This morning, drive through the Altiplano high plains to the Colca Valley and Canyon. On the way you'll see grazing vicunas, llamas and alpacas, as well as stone cairns built by local Indigenous communities. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the Colca Canyon provides some breathtaking views. The pre-Inca terraces carved into its walls are still cultivated today, and the area is dotted with traditional Indian villages with locals in colourful dress. Stop at the highest point (4910 m) to enjoy views of the landscape below. Drive on the town of Chivay, where you'll have some time to soak up the local hot springs, then continue to the Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca Hotel, your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening. With a prime location along the rugged Colca River, this resort offers tranquility and comfort in a truly magnificent setting. The grounds are just as wondrous as the surroundings – tumbling waterfalls, organic gardens and gorgeous pools make this a superb spot to explore. With modern rooms, first-class service and fantastic amenities, this stay is one to remember.

Day 5 Lake Titicaca

Rise early this morning to visit the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, where Andean condors, one of the world's largest flying birds, can often be seen soaring in the air. After lunch, begin the drive to Puno. On the way you'll stop off at the Sillustani archaeological site for about an hour, where you'll climb to the top of the hill to appreciate the ruined 'chullpas', or funeral towers. These towers were built by a pre-Inca civilisation centuries ago to house the remains of noble men. Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Puno is full of Aymara and Quechuan Indian culture. The town is known as the folklore capital of Peru and is renowned for its traditional dances.

Day 6 Lake Titicaca

Be enchanted by striking scenery and unique cultures on a cruise around Lake Titicaca today. This morning, depart from the port in Puno for the floating Uros Islands. The Uros people constructed these islands to isolate themselves from rival tribes in ancient times. They are built completely from multiple layers of totora reeds, which grow in the shallows of the lake. Call into Taquile Island, where you'll spend an hour walking to the top of the hill to see local traditional clothing and shops for woollen handicrafts. Explore this extraordinary place before traveling back to Puno for the evening. Back at your hotel, enjoy a stunning sunset over Lake Titicaca, while you sample wine and cheese in the garden.

Day 7 Cusco

Rise early and travel to Cusco. The journey will be broken up with plenty of stops, including a visit to the Raqchi Archaeological Site. Arrive in Cusco by late afternoon. Cusco is South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, and was the home of the Inca for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. At 3450 m above sea level, it’s important to take time to acclimatise to the city’s altitude. After settling in at the hotel, take a casual walk around Plaza de Armas with your leader and pick up some excellent dinner recommendations along the way.

Day 8 Cusco

This morning, discover the best of Cusco on a walking tour. First, enjoy a special tour of the World Heritage-listed Cusco Cathedral with a local historian guide. Built on top of an Incan palace, the building is now one of Cusco’s greatest repositories of art, and your guide will share its history from past to present. Then, tour the Coricancha Temple with another local guide. The temple was once covered in sheets of gold that were eventually removed to raise a ransom for the life of Atahualpa, and later the Spanish demolished the temple to build a Dominican church on its foundations. Soon after, head to the colourful San Pedro market. The rest of the day is yours – speak to your leader about the option to arrange a cooking class at a local restaurant using fair trade products, or the half-day Inkilltambo trek, exploring an archaeologic site on the city’s outskirts.

Day 9 Ollantaytambo

Today you'll head for the Sacred Valley. Just outside of Cusco, visit the fortress ruins of Sacsayhuaman. The massive stone blocks forming the settlement's walls give you an idea of the ingenuity of the Inca. Continue on to the Sacred Valley. Treasured for its climate, fertile land and the Urubamba (Sacred) River, the valley has long been the main source of food in the high Andes. Afterwards, visit AMA, a local restaurant specializing in organic produce, and learn how they support single mothers in the Sacred Valley while enjoying a snack and drink. Continue to Willoq community to take part in an ancient cooking ritual known as pachamanca. This cooking method, which dates back to the time of the Inca empire, sees meats and vegetables marinaded in spices cooked slowly in the earth. You will also learn about traditional textile techniques that are used by the community – and you’ll even have the chance to make your own bracelet with the local women! Later, visit AMA, a local restaurant specializing in organic produce, and learn how they support single mothers in the Sacred Valley while enjoying a snack and drink. Later, continue to the town of Ollantaytambo. Built over an ancient Inca settlement, this is one of the few places where the Inca defeated the Spanish. Explore the archaeological site with an expert local guide who will discuss the evidence of the Incas' engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams on the Urubamba River and towering sets of terraces.

Day 10 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

Today’s journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes will reveal some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. Board the 360 Machu Picchu Train – with high domed windows in each carriage, there’s few better ways to view the magical Andes Mountains. The train also features an open-air observation carriage so you can marvel at the landscape from every angle. Disembark the train in Aguas Calientes, briefly drop your belongings off at your hotel, then take a short bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu, where you will be joined by a guide who will take you through the ruins and tell you stories of its history and the ancestral people of the region. The true purpose behind Machu Picchu may always be a mystery, since no historical records of the complex exist. Most archaeologists, however, believe it to be the 15th-century headquarters of Emperor Pachacuti. Your leader can advise how to get the most out of your visit. Later, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night before heading back up to Machu Picchu first thing in the morning for your second visit.

Day 11 Cusco

Rise before the sun and take the winding road back up to Machu Picchu for another morning uncovering its secrets. On your second visit, explore more of the extraordinary architecture of the many temples, palaces and living quarters. The sight of the ruins of Machu Picchu against a lush backdrop of forested mountain is one you are going to want to remember – so be sure to have your camera ready. You'll have time along the way to take any photos you may have missed yesterday. Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, then catch a standard train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, you'll make the drive back to Cusco for the evening.

Day 12 Amazon Jungle

Today you will catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. When you arrive in the afternoon, take a bus to the port where you will board motorised canoes and head into the Amazon rainforest. Keep an eye out for macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras along the way. Here you’ll find Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion, your Feature Stay for the next two nights. Built in the heart of a 380 hectare-private ecological reserve, this unique resort is focused on the conservation of local habitats and features 25 private cabanas plus an on-site team of expert local guides. Enjoy lunch at the lodge then explore the Concepcion Trails with an expert guide. As darkness begins to fall, join a guided Twilight River boat ride and see how many caimans you can spot lurking on the riverbanks. Dinner is a la carte and draws on local Amazon ingredients to create a meal to remember.

Day 13 Amazon Jungle

After breakfast, board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly glide across Lake Sandoval, keeping an eye out for red howler monkeys, giant river otters and colourful macaws along the way. After lunch you may like to walk along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, a 344 m network of suspension bridges that take you high above the forest floor to some of the best places to spot toucans, woodpeckers, monkeys and three-toed sloths. Join a night walk to discover the nocturnal activity in the surrounding areas or book into the lodge’s spa, before you meet your group for dinner.

Day 14 Lima

This morning you will travel back to Puerto Maldonado, then take a flight to Lima, arriving in the early afternoon. Enjoy a few hours at leisure to explore any of the city’s sights you may have missed the first time around, then get back together with your fellow travellers and leader for dinner. Overlooking an ancient pre-Inca archaeological site and serving up a delectable menu of Peruvian delights, this final dinner is sure to leave you with a lasting memory of your time in Peru.

Day 15 Lima

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Lima, just speak to your booking agent.